Under a Fractured Sky

by Rachel Jones

The universe is tearing.

The year is 2180. In the aftermath of global collapse, PANGAEA rebuilt Earth with the promise of order, while hiding a festering reality. Dr. Lilliana Hayes lives for the stars and her daughter, but when she uncovers a devastating secret, everything changes.

The Big Rip isn’t just a theory anymore.

Blackmailed into helping complete the Gateway – a portal to another universe – Lily is horrified to learn the true cost of survival. As reality fractures and time distorts, she wonders if peace lies not in escape, but in letting go.

Under a Fractured Sky is an apocalyptic sci-fi thriller told through interweaving perspectives, where the greatest threat isn’t the end of the universe, but what humanity will do to outrun it.

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2025

About the author

Rachel Jones was born and raised in Western Australia, growing up alongside her older siblings in the Australian bushland. Her fascination with space began early, nurtured by her brother, who taught her how to draw stars and search the night sky for constellations such as the Southern Cross and Orion’s Belt.

Rachel’s debut, Under a Fractured Sky, has been years in the making. What began as scattered notes, jotted down on scraps of paper and half-finished online documents, slowly evolved through three major drafts and deeply layered world-building, before taking final shape in early 2025.

When she’s not writing or dreaming up alternate ways to end the world, Rachel is a wife, a mum and works full time. She is a devoted fan of heavy metal music, and a lifelong lover of potatoes in all their glorious forms.

You can connect with her on Instagram at @racheljonesauthor

Reviews

[Neli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
Holy shit thsi was WOW
THSI WAS AMAZING
I got an ARC for it and damn I’m so glad
Cause wow
Thag was amazing
I love love love sci fi but finding authors who actually sound like they know shit is so hard
But Rachel
She knows
It genuinely feels like she maybe studied it cause it was detailed
Amazing
The plot
How do you ever think of that
The only ONLY
thing that made me give up.75 off is the lack of character development (due to the multitude of povs) but honestly that’s to be expected most times for a first book so it can only go up from here
Okayy


PLOT

This was probably the best part
The amount of effort that would have gone into planning
The way it was writtien
It all made this novel easy to consume but not… light? Like we feel everything as if it’s happening in our world (well it sorta is?) and I lived that
It was AMAZINGFF

okay
So we start with a few characters who are expericaning weird occurrences
Seeing ‘visions’ also known as aberrations
And they aren’t really real
But they aren’t really fake?
Hard to explain
However then we have this guy
Voss
And he is like a big part of PANGEA aka the government of the whole world?
But he knows what’s happening
He knows that the universe
Is
Literally
Tearing apart
And it will kill everyone
So he has made like this project
Called project y KIFROST
And the idea of it is based on Lily and Jordan’s dark matter travel theory
And basically he wants to open a rip to a new universe
But he needs people to do it
So he calls in other
Sam
Lily
Jordan for money
and a few others
But the issue with his plan
He only want to take like three people through and leave the world to perish.
But then
Liky, Sam and Jordan (and a few others) are planning a rebellion.
Lily is planning to stay on earth to show like? Faith I guess and truth for her daughter (who isn’t actually her daughter)
Sam has a wife who has been KIDNAPPED NY VOSS and he attempts to save her (and succeeds) with the help of wren, flux, Ava, Adrian uh. That’s all
Oh he has a daughter as well. or… had
And Jordan is following along but has a plan to ruin Voss
Uh
So basically a lot of the book is the building rebellion
Getting to see the world
Then at the end
We see the rift open
And Voss, Jordan and theee others go through
While Sam, Natalie, and co are on the other side. And Sam’s daughter DIED. I’m sobbing stop pls
Uh
On the other side they don’t know that the rift has lead to an inhabitant planet because of Jordan wanting to kill Voss
But it works?
Almost
Because when they enter
It’s a planet of all water
But there is a city
An underwater one…
And there… there is a version of Lily. One who is trying to save THIS PLANET
insane
But j really want to knwo what’s happening on easth
fuck
Ughh


CJARACTERS

LILY
She was
The
Best
A
Scientist yes
But she shouldn’t be known like that
She is a fighter.
A loved
Ugh
She was amazing
She risked her life for her sisters child
Risked her life to save the universe
Sacrificed herself so her daughter could live a better life
Constantly did the science even though it took so much valuable time left of life.
She was the basis of this
And she deserves the credit because it was amazing
Honestly kaybe I’m bias
Women in stem is like my passion
I’m one? Or hoping to be I guess.
And it makes me so
SO HAPPY
to see women succeed and be where they are meant to be
Equals
I loved that Lily was the best scientist. Not Jordan. Not Sam. But Lily
And she fought her way there
Love her
Inspiration

SAM
He was
So
Strong
First his wife was torn away
Now his daughters dead
And still be found it in him to fight a rebellion because it meant saving his world and life and family
And I respect that
So much
Because after all
He is the greatest engineer
If anyone could achieve it
He can
Not because of the engineering.
But because he knows what it’s like to fight for a life with more
Always wanting to be happy
Not stressed or alone
stop
And he lost so much more

OFF OF SAM
he had his daughter XASEY who just died. This poor little girl who didn’t deserve it.
He had his wife NATALJE be kidnapped by Voss and his only goal was to save her. And in the end he still lost so much more than her.
FLUX who sacrificed himself for Sam to live, but in the end it might be futile.

JORDAN
okay
I love him
Character depth was great but wanted MORE
NEED MORE
I want to see what he was thinking
How he pinned to achieve things
But also I loved that he felt connected to Voss because he raised him
He wasn’t a straightforward good character
He was complex and has his reasons for why he couldn’t choose a side
But in the end her did
He gave up himself to save the people he loved. Aka Lily.
And in the end it might just work out for him
I hope

MENTIONS

WREN
I laughed whenever she was there
Always wanting to make things explode

AVA
I live my hacker girls so mich
In every good sci fi book you need the girl who can somehow crack unbreakabke codes in seconds

ADRIAN
he had his life ruined
By his uncle (aka Voss)
And still fought
Even when life collapsed under him

SELENE
I hope my poor baby girl lives
She deserves to see the stars survive


There are a lot of minor characters that are integral but don’t have character arcs so I think that’s all

HATED

VOSS
if he just
Let everyone vote through the rift there wouldn’t be an issue
Because guess what
He lives
And so does human life
But he was so selfish he wouldn’t control all to himself
And wanted everyone to die for him
He sacrificed so many
Murdered them
Just so he could live
If he didn’t die in thag ocean I’ll drown him myself.


QUOTES

“But the rot beneath never really went away.”
You can’t cover moms with another set of paint. Your lungs will still be full of the molecules.

“New beginnings don't always mean better end-ings.
Horizons are never as far as they seem.”
I knwo it’s not exactly as good as it seems
But the thing is
It’s sorta inspirational. Don’t look for more because sometimes it’s less? Isn’t that good

“'But... the history books, the archives
'History is written by the victors,'”
I’ve never thought of this. Mind opening

“The burn in his throat was sharp, but the hollowness in his chest hurt worse”
I’ve actually thought of this before
Emotional pain is far worse then any physical pain I’ve ever felt
Because it doesn’t go away

“Love could be as heavy as grief , and just as resolute”

“Remeber Sam, I’m exactly where I need to be”
THE TJING FROM FLUX AT THE START AND IT CAME BACK
NO


also just wanted to mention
I am so unbelievably greatful thag I was able to read this early
Because this was amazing and I’m HANGING for the next one

[Raccoon.reader_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got a early ARC release of Under A Fractured Sky and this book absolutely blew me away and so quickly went into my top 3 reads of the year. 

I'm not going to give anything away as the arcs aren't out yet but the emotions, love and even the hate you have for the villain that the author has managed to put into this book is pure magic.

The multiple POV's give you such an in-depth look into the characters lives, the layers of storytelling that is placed perfectly within each chapter leaving just enough of a cliffhanger for later. 

The ending was absolutely mindblowing and the way it ties everything together yet still leaves a huge cliffhanger is phenomenal. This book has my favourite ending of all time. 

I can't wait for book 2 and I am so excited to see where Rachel's career goes because it's gonna be huge.

[Shayla Morgansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was my favourite mix of genres - near-future sci-fi with a focus on family and friendship, moral quandries surrounding AI and the wealth/class divide, and a dash of romance that doesn't detract from the plot. I received this book as an ARC and am very grateful to the author and to Aussie Indie PA for the opportunity. The writing style is very good, with some really compelling use of language that showcases the strength and range of this author. The science elements were great, very well balanced with plotting and pace, which is a skill in this genre, however my complaint would be that the book wasn't long enough, and as a result, some of the world-building didn't quite hit the mark for me. I would have loved to see some expansion on the impacts of the fracturing sky on the wider populace instead of only the main cast, to make the stakes feel bigger. That said, the ending creates new stakes altogether, which leaves me intrigued for the direction of the next books and how the events of this one will cast shadows into future stories. I particularly enjoyed the AI characters and felt that their culture and connection to one another was a highlight of the book. Overall it reminded me of genre shows like Salvation or Fringe and I will look forward to the sequel!

[Rukayya · Rating 4 out of 5]

i was selected as an arc reader and i rated it 4 stars ugh it was so good like wtf the writing is so good and i need the second book so bad

[Jazmin Jordan-Santiago · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow!! What did I just read and why isn’t there a book 2?!??

I need book two.
I need to know what happens next because this story was full of depth of moral, exploration of humanity and the universe, a beautiful discussion of humanity.

[Ashley Marasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

[ARC review] I can count on one hand the number of books that have truly stopped me in my tracks. That have thrown me into feeling so deeply that for a moment I’m caught in time, staring into space, reeling with the horror of what people can do to each other.

Under a Fractured Sky by Rachel Jones left me speechless, my heart absolutely torn to shreds. The story was absolutely incredible from start to finish. I loved the world she built - the dystopian social classes, the Sentients - and the characters she filled it with, both human and android.

It is definitely a story that will stay with me long after I turned the last page. Cannot wait to be absolutely devastated again by more of her work.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a nice surprise, great scifi book. Really easy read, perfectly detailed and not over complicated.

The universe is ending, there is a way out but what is the cost. This book follows mutiple people, two scientists Jordan and Lily who are working on the gateway project, their boss Voss and Sam an engineer. There was so much that happens in this book and its hard not say anything here without giving too much away.

The story telling was perfect just enough detail held back in each chapter to keep you reading to the next. And all the emotions; the love and even hate for the villain of the story was so perfectly set out. And then there was then ending, heart breaking, exhilarating and how it tied everything back together but still ending on a cliffhanger.

This was one of those books that totally came out of no where and had me hooked within no time at all. A great scifi thriller.

[Chiara Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

How I devoured this book! I couldn’t wait to finish it to know what was happening, but at the same time I didn’t want to leave the amazing characters in this story. I’m glad this is only book 1 as I can’t have enough and the ending only just made me want more.

This book is science fiction at its best and more. It is also a thriller in a dystopian setting, where the world is ending due to a tear in the universe that is causing aberrations in space and time. Parallel to this, we learn how ‘difficult’ people are treated, and that classes exist, which end up being a very important branch of the story with new characters and many tense and thrilling moments.

I’m not able to describe how much there is in this story, how hooked I was and how unputdownable this tale actually is! One of the aspects I truly loved is the empathy towards sentient robots and how intelligence in its etymological form is valued.
I also didn’t mind the very light romance throughout as it’s not overpowering and actually very emotional in a way.

In summary, this story has everything to hook readers: a compelling plot with deadly consequences, truly positive and deeply loveable characters that will do anything for what they believe in, great villains and such a mind bending ending that is also a true cliffhanger! I mean, what more would you possibly want?

Although science fiction, I think this story is so carefully written and complete that anyone will love it. The author’s passion exudes from the pages and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thanks to the author for a copy and this is my honest opinion.

[K.P. Kilbride · Rating 4 out of 5]

(ARC received)

"Under a Fractured Sky" is an apocalyptic sci-fi thriller following a cast of scientists and engineers working against human selfishness and a universe-ending threat.

The strength of this story is the characters, their resilience, their drive, and the way they all interact. Each of them is making an impact on the world in a very different way, whether it's as a parent, a scientist, or a rebel going into battle. In particular, I really liked that characters were allowed to make personal mistakes and suffer the consequences.

It has a really intriguing ending that's left me really interested in where the next entry in the series will go.

[Brendan Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under A Fractured Sky introduces us to Dr Lily Hayes, a world renowned astrophysicist. We soon learn that the universe is in grave danger in this unputdownable blend of science fact and science fiction.

The characters are wonderfully written. The villain is such an awful person I may have shouted F&$k you at my book. The sentients (robotic helpers with personality) are hilarious and funny.

Rachel’s novel is fast-paced and filled with emotionally rich characters, her dystopian thriller is a must read. It’s a great new take on the genre.

I cannot wait to read the sequel.

[Kelsbookreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hold everything, put the phone down, ignore your family, find a spot to get comfy and devour this debut.

Under a Fractured Sky is everything I wanted in a dystopian science fiction thriller book. The writing was sharp, the story moved along at a pace that was exciting but allowed you to fall in love with the characters and the emotions it managed to invoke was surprisingly deep. It's been a few weeks and I still think about this book at least once a day.

The world is fracturing, the end is coming and everyone is doomed, though not everyone knows it yet.

We follow 4 main points of view throughout this book, each one an integral player in either saving humanity or damning it.

Lily is a gifted scientist, a single mother and in love with a man she can't be with; she also is the only person in the world who can work out the formula to save humanity. Jordan is a man with more wealth than he can spend, who enjoys the quiet moments, pining for Lily and backing a ruthless man with a plan to save the people - but only a select few.

We also have Sam, an engineer, and a single dad who is battling the loss of his wife; his only friend a sentient and who is sick of living under the cruel man who is signing their death warrant. And last we have Voss, a man with a one-track mind to save only the influential and rich and to create a paradise on another world - with him in charge.

This story is brutal, the twists and turns sharp and caught me off guard (in a good way) and the ending was full of tears, hope, disbelief and a longing for book 2 to have already been written and waiting to be read immediately.

If you love:

- end of the world
- star-crossed lovers
- sentient robotics
- creepy distopian vibes
- grief acceptance
- cliffhanger
- emotional rollercoaster
- found family
- rebellion
- multiple POV

Then don't miss this one. I read this prior to official release date.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just want to say that I love the premise of this book. I’m a massive sci-fi girlie with an analytical brain, so I’m always excited when a story leans into complex concepts—and this one does. Rachel’s ideas are ambitious, layered, and full of the kind of high-concept sci-fi energy I like.

That being said… my main issue with this book is its timing/pacing. It’s fast like it’s incredibly fast paced trying to cram a lot of information and multiple time jumps all into this first book of the series to get to the sky fracturing. I really feel like the book could have used another 5-10 chapters especially in the beginning and definitely more time on Adrian’s wife and her release. The speed makes it hard to breathe with the story or process emotional beats. I needed more world building and character development which leads me to my next issue.

It’s a multi POV(4 perspectives) which can be awesome getting everyone’s take and understanding motives but it’s hard to really develop all the characters personalities and create bonds with the characters. You get glimpses, but not the depth needed to bond with them. Which when you get to the end of this book kinda makes sense because

(SPOILER WARNING)
Seriously, stop reading here if you don’t want spoilers.
.
.
.
Everyone but one character dies.


Which i mean does explain the surface-level development since most of these characters aren’t meant to stay. Still, as a reader, especially in sci-fi I wanna be emotional invested so I can be grounded in the more wild concepts, it left me wishing for a little more time with them before the story wiped the slate clean.

Overall: a brilliant premise with huge potential, but the pacing keeps it from fully landing. I’m really curious to see where book two goes now that the story can (hopefully) slow down and really dig into the lone survivor and the fractured worlds ahead.


I do give this book more of a 2.5 star rating

[UnremARCable Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am writing this review moments after I’ve finished reading, completely brokenhearted and filled with so many questions. 😭 I’ll be the first to say that I have not typically characterized myself as a sci-fi reader. But this book has me wanting to give this genre another chance. The way Rachel Jones threads in themes of love, grief, and greed, really pulled me in emotionally and made me even more enraptured with where the plot was going. In my opinion, what made this read so encapsulating is the fact that it honestly doesn’t seem so far fetched that something like this could happen in over a century from now? Maybe?

The way the true impacts of life-changing decisions were articulated played my heart strings like a violin. 🎻 It felt real. I appreciated the role of the sentients and each of their impacts on the different POVs we were reading from. Flux is someone (or something?) that I wish I could meet. His relationship and camaraderie with Sam really warmed my heart, along with the way other sentients played such pivotal roles in the upbringing of the different human main characters. Although they are quite literally inanimate objects, they were very much described with character and personality. Wren really added amazing comedic relief, almost making me want a spin off prequel of her adventures.

By the end of this read, what was most surprising of all was the fact that this was actually Rachel Jones’s debut novel. That honestly had me floored. 🤯 Her talent is overflowing off every page. The fact that this is the first book that she has ever published, has me incredibly excited for her future as a writer.

[Pepper_Mind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for you if you like:
- Nostalgic apocalyptic movies/books;
- Supervillains and the end of the world;
- Friendship, family bonds and a sprinkle of romance;
- Single parents fighting the establishment with science!

This novel was dystopian and nostalgic in the best possible way. It felt like one of those older apocalyptic movies paired with all those dystopian YA novels we read back in the day. Only that this wasn't YA, and the characters were grown up and had families and children.

I loved the concept of the sentient and the ethical questions the novel posed surrounding life, individuals and the price of survival.

Flux and Wren were my favourite characters. They felt real and alive, and their arc made me quite emotional. There was an overall focus on friendship, and I especially enjoyed the colleagues-to-friends situation between Lily and Sam.

There is a romantic subplot, and it wasn’t like I didn’t care for it, but I found that the author focused on all kinds of relationships too, so it wasn't the centre of the story. The novel as a whole was more layered because of that.

If anything, this novel would have benefited from a slower pacing and some more pages. It was rushed at some point, and I didn't have time to breathe and settle into the story. I would have loved a little more time.

Lastly, I have no idea about physics, but it felt well researched. But I can't really tell. That would be on others to judge!

I will be back for book two, though!

[Deceptively Revelling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the story and think it’s a very interesting concept. I was intrigued to see what happened and I loved seeing the multiple POVs to get a complete understanding of the events and viewpoints. It was nice to get a POV from the villain of the story also, which doesn’t usually happen.

I feel like I didn’t really get to know any of the characters well enough, perhaps if it was a longer story and more in depth, then I could have. The only one I liked or connected with was Sam but it would have been nice to see some more close relationships develop or something that gets me emotionally invested.

I feel a little disappointed by the ending, as is probably the point. There is a definite cliffhanger to suggest a possible sequel but it also seems like it was intentionally left that way, to make you think about all that occurred.

If you like sci-fi books with sentient robots, and people trying to stop the natural end of the world, definitely give this a go.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under A Fractured Sky is a futuristic sci-fi novel. The universe has started to collapse on itself, the sky is fracturing and stars are disappearing.

The year is 2180. Earth has been recolonised into one system - PANGEA. There is a class structure meant to ensure order but actually creates an unfair advantage for being born into the right family. Everyone must wear AI lifebands that are constantly monitored. Step out of line in anyway and you're under threat of being reclassified and disappeared.

It starts slowly with world building and navigating the collapse of the universe. Then the pace picks up. We have corruption in the highest levels - a chance for humanity to survive being commandeered by soulless cretin - and a rebellion built on hope and love.

This is an action packed story with heart wrenching moments and some hilarious side characters that offer some much needed moments of comic relief (here's looking at you, Wren!)

This is Rachel Jones debut novel and what a way to come out with a bang! This was a fairly short read but very captivating and I absolutely cannot wait to see where the story goes next!

Under A Fractured Sky releases November 22nd and whether you're a sci-fi fan or not, I definitely think this is one for the TBR

[Renee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was a wild ride! It’s an end-of-the-world, cosmic-style sci-fi thriller—definitely outside my usual reading comfort zone, but I’m so glad I gave it a shot.

Once I got into the story, I couldn’t put it down. You follow a team of scientists and engineers working on the Gateway Project, led by Voss the Boss (ugh… didn’t like him, but wow, what a well-written villain!).

I loved the fast-paced storyline, the witty banter, and the emotional depth. It was heartbreaking at times, yet had moments that made me laugh out loud.

If you’re looking for something intense, gripping, and a little different—this one’s worth picking up!

[Tiffani · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a fan of movie iRobot, the video game Horizon: Zero Dawn, or Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card you will love this book.

Set in the future, the world is collapsing. Fractures rip through the sky as reality falls apart. Civilization is divided by classifications- Null, Elite, etc. Lily, a world renowned astrophysicist works to find a travel to another universe and find a way way out. Voss, a villain wrapped in power and heirarchy spills lies attempting to save himself. Will they make it out before it's too late?

Under a Fractured Sky will leave you seeking hope in a broken world, loving to hate the villain, and rallying to fight for the ones you love.

[Raelle Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

as a scifi lover, this was so perfect.

i want to use the word cozy because the vibes were so immaculate and exactly what i look for in a scifi that i felt right at home in it. 10/10 story telling. as a writer, its hard not to look too much onto structire, sentences, and general well "writtenness" 😅 but THIS WAS FLAWLESS! i want to yap on and on but ill avoid spoilers! A MUST READ for those who love sci fi. or even those just getting into it!

[Kerri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Jones NAILED this book. For a girl who isn’t usually a sci-fi reader, this story completely hooked me from start to finish. I could genuinely see this becoming a cracking Netflix series.

The characters, the world-building, that end-of-the-world dystopian tension, and unlikely leader and a band of misfit rebels rising up against a tyrannical mastermind and the way she wrote the sentient/human relationships… all absolutely superb.

The ending was bittersweet, and yes, tears were shed for some of my favourite characters.

Bravo, Rachel Jones. What a masterclass of a debut. 👏

[Dani · Rating 5 out of 5]

What starts as a sci-fi thriller quickly becomes something so much deeper. This isn’t just about a world falling apart — it’s about people breaking, healing, and finding something worth holding onto when everything else crumbles. 💔

Lilliana’s story hit me hard. The fear, the love, the guilt, the hope — it all feels real. Even set against the vastness of space and time, it’s the quiet, human moments that stay with you. The ones that whisper, “you’d do the same for the ones you love.”

And can we talk about the villain for a second? Absolutely phenomenal. Complex, chilling, and so well-written that you catch yourself understanding their motives even when you shouldn’t. The kind of antagonist that gives you goosebumps because they feel real. 🖤

Rachel balances heartbreak and hope so beautifully. The writing feels cinematic, like you can see the world fracturing and still find the light shining through the cracks. 🌌

If you love emotional, end-of-the-world stories that make you feel as much as they make you think — this one’s for you. I love to hate being left with a cliffhanger, I need book 2!

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rach, are you okay? Cause like that book... Just wow!

This book starts with slow world building, as it's about space and the universe collapsing, it was actually really great cause it allowed me to slowly be introduced to the many incredible main characters and side characters.

It's set in the very far future and the world is basically one large country. There is different classes of people, and it's all done by a coloured wrist band... That also tracks them. But also some people have gone missing and reclassified into lower classes, but where have they gone?

Sam was one of my favourites, of not giving up and being the leader of the rebellion.

Voss made me literally want to pull him out of the pages and punch him in the throat, literally a self serving prick.

Lilly and her love for her daughter tugged at my heartstrings and the little bombs that were dropped throughout this book about Lilly and her family? Goodness me.

Flux and Wren, AI/robots that literally had more feelings than some of the human characters... Looking at you Voss!

The characters dynamics, the friendships and the found family themes, made this sci-fi thriller seem wholesome, until of course the ending when literally everything happens and you are left with the sudden loss of that wholesome feeling! 😂😭😅

This made me gasp, question and again made me scared of space!

Thanks to Rachel for providing me with the chance to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review!

Now give me book 2, cause that was cruel!

[Nikki B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, what an incredible debut!! The plot and concepts in this book were what made it so intriguing and kept me turning the page. So much research must have gone into this to make the science so believable. The world building (or world fracturing in this case) was well thought out and complex. And a few scenes were so cool that I had to take a moment to digest them. Will absolutely recommend this for science fiction readers.

[Mallory Moss · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book resonates, in many ways, as an expression of dissatisfaction with the state of our world and fear for what the future of humanity holds. It’s also a story of grief and love, loss and triumph, as the world quite literally falls apart.

Dr. Lily Hayes, a brilliant physicist whose young daughter is her whole world, is blackmailed into helping her boss create a portal to another world. Her longtime work (and would-be-more) partner, Dr. Jordan Crane, is a trillionaire whose funds and desire to find a purpose led him to the same project years ago. Their lives intersect with Dr. Sam Holloway, a lovable engineer characterized by his humility (he thinks lowly of his engineering PhD), his friendship with his sentient robot Flux, his grief for his lost wife and his love for his daughter. There are other lovable, memorable characters—Sam’s beloved robot sidekick, Flux, along with the legendary espionage robot Wren, the spitfire hacker Ava, and the broody, grieving Adrian Voss. Not to be confused with the other Voss, the epitome of evil, who you’ll hate as soon as he steps on the page.

Under A Fractured Sky explores the role of sentient AI in an evolving society and shows that sometimes, the things which we dehumanize can be more human than us; the Sentients, robots kept as slaves to some, friends to others, emerge as the greatest heroes in the story, continually risking themselves to save innocents. This story also considers the transience of power and prestige—many of the people we see from the “Null” caste, the lowest level of PANGAEA’s caste system, are former “Elite,” reassigned to poverty and squalor for daring to transgress the boundaries—or for daring to dig deeper for the truth.

It’s a quick read, super convenient for busy schedules—I read it on a plane flight. And yet, Jones packs a LOT of emotional depth and weight into these pages. There’s never a dull moment, and every word is made to count. Jones pulled off some impressive plot twists and a shocking ending that left me wondering where we go from here. In doing so, she has caught this reader hook, line, and sinker—I’ll be eagerly awaiting Book 2!

[Jenna Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

A cosmic apocalypse wrapped around a mother’s heart.

Under a Fractured Sky is one of those rare sci-fi novels that doesn’t just make you think…it makes you feel. Deeply. Painfully. Beautifully. From the very first chapter, it’s clear this is more than a story about the universe ending; it’s a story about what we cling to when everything else is being ripped away.

Dr. Lilliana Hayes is the beating heart of this book. She’s brilliant, flawed, terrified, brave. She is so achingly human that every choice she faces feels personal. Her love for her daughter anchors the narrative, even as reality itself unravels in ways that feel both awe-inspiring and horrifying. When she discovers the truth behind PANGAEA’s facade and the devastating reality of the Big Rip, the story transforms into an emotional spiral: part thriller, part heartbreak, part existential grief.

What moved me most is the book’s central question: when the universe is collapsing, what does it mean to save what matters? Is survival truly worth the cost? Or is peace found not in fighting the inevitable, but in finally letting go?

By the end, I wasn’t just turning pages…I was holding my breath, heart in my throat.

If you want a sci-fi story that blends apocalyptic stakes with raw, human emotion…and a story that feels intimate even as stars die…then Under a Fractured Sky is unforgettable. It’s haunting, courageous, and full of the kind of love that survives even when worlds don’t.

[Tammy-Rose Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc Review

Under A Fractured Sky by @racheljonesauthor

Thanks you for the opportunity to read this as a e arc, for an honest review.

So I might have a fractured heart, after reading this. You've pack so much into 190 pages, what can we do when the world is literally ripping itself apart.

I've cried at moments in this, which I thought weren't possible. My eyes are so puffy. I can't take the hurt much more.

I really would enjoy putting Voss into a black whole as it's a dark as his heart.

Lily and her daughter, mommy and daughter bond is just absolutely everything 😭 . It made me break down emotionally.

Especially Sam and his family, I can't take more heart agony.

The Sentients are more human than most humans even in our world. Loyalty, no judgement, years of dealing with us humans. And their robots.

It's scary, how you can just picture this in our future. Which I hope never comes true. This is your debut series and I think your smashed it with everything you got.

The ending rounded everything up so brilliantly but you also left so much unsaid. It's unreal.

Releases 22.11.25

[Rebecca Ashgard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic sci-fi book the delves deep into the characters, their relationships and all their trauma. It's an easy read, a great entry point into sci-fi if you're new to the genre as it's very relatable. Fantastic world building, loved all the details that made it feel so authentic but not overly descriptive like some sci-fi and fantasy can be, which I really love. A very accessible read, highly recommend.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of the book was intriguing and I felt the novel delivered a brutal but realistic plot and believable experiences for the characters. There were moments of hope and moments of sadness, but the cliffhanger was the real WHOA moment of the book as I did not see it ending quite like that. I shall say no more because SPOILERS!

See my full review on my blog.

[Natalie Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC and it was not what I was expecting at all, it blew me away!! The further I got into reading it, the harder it became to put it down. I think this book could have been longer so I'm really hoping Rachel is writing a sequel as I write this.